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Real Madrid vs. Elche: Final score 5-1, Cristiano Ronaldo scores four times as Madrid rolls
Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno
Ronaldo's second hat-trick -- he scored four goals in all -- in as many games helped Madrid power past Elche.
Credit Elche for coming out and challenging Real Madrid from the opening whistle on Wednesday. Their pressure on the Madrid defense earned them and early penalty and lead, possibly even the belief they could pull off an upset. Those feelings were short lived though as Madrid powered back with three first half goals to take a lead they wouldn't surrender.
Keylor Navas, making his first start for Real Madrid since joining them over the summer, was tested early after Dani Carvajal brought down Coro 25-yards from goal. The Madrid fullback was a lucky to avoid a red card for denying a goal-scoring opportunity, earning just a yellow card instead. Edu Albácar's bouncing free kick forced a good save from Navas as he fought the ball off.
CRISTIANO RONALDO
Elche's aggressive start to the match paid big dividends in the 14th minute whenCristiano Ronaldo was adjudged to have kicked Pedro Mosquera with a high boot in the box, giving the home side a penalty. It wasn't a very good call, but the referee was not moved by the protestations from the players in white. Keylor Navas did his best to make a save, guessing the right direction on Albácar's penalty kick, but the shot was well placed and eluded the diving Madrid goalkeeper.
The lead was short-lived though as Madrid pulled even at 1-1 a mere five minutes after falling behind. Gareth Bale got free from his marker right in front of Manu Herrera and directed a cross from James Rodriguez past the Elche goalkeeper.
Mosquera, who'd earned the penalty for Elche earlier, conceded one back for Madrid in the 27th minute after he brought down Marcelo from behind. Ronaldo stepped up and buried his penalty, giving Los Blancos a 2-1 lead. Just like the first penalty, it was a very soft call with the replays showing vitally no contact by Mosquera on Marcelo.
Not content with just one goal, which is pretty much the norm for Ronaldo, the Portuguese striker scored his second of the match in the 32nd minute to extend the Madrid lead to 3-1. Marcelo provided the service sending in a cross from the right that Ronaldo went up and powered past Herrera with a towering header over the defense.
Ronaldo completed his hat-trick -- his second in two games -- in the 80th minute after he was brought down in the area by Mario Pasalic, giving Madrid their second penalty of the match. It's the 21st time that the Portuguese striker has scored three goals in a La Liga match.
That greedy 'ol Ronaldo scored his fourth goal on he match in stoppage time, giving Madrid a 5-1 victory on the day and upping his goal total to seven in the last two games.
Real Madrid: Navas, Marcelo, Sergio Ramos (Nacho 82'), Varane, Carvajal (Arbeloa 65'), Illarramendi, Kroos, Isco, James (Chicharito 78'), Ronaldo, Bale
Goals: Bale (20'), Ronaldo (28', 32', 80', 93')
Elche: Manu Herrera, Cisma, Lomban, Pelegrín, Albácar, Mosquera, Víctor, Adrian (Pasalic 67'), Rodrigues (C. Herrera 78'), Jonathas, Coro (Fajr 61')
Goals: (Albácar 15')
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